TORONTO STAR | NEWS | IMMIGRATIONhttps://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.news.immigration.rss
NEWS IMMIGRATIONen-caFri, 9 Dec 2016 20:31:07 ESTFri, 9 Dec 2016 20:31:07 ESTCopyright Toronto Star 1996-2013 , http://www.thestar.com/termshttp://www.thestar.com60TORONTO STAR | NEWS | IMMIGRATIONhttps://www.thestar.com/etc/designs/thestar/images/general/thestar_250x40.pnghttps://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.news.immigration.rss
Human rights commission targets justice system in new 5-year planhttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/08/human-rights-commission-targets-justice-system-in-new-5-year-plan.html
947e59fc-814a-49d3-96fb-5b274eac3d8dThu, 8 Dec 2016 17:13:08 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/08/human-rights-commission-targets-justice-system-in-new-5-year-plan/renu-mandhane.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Ending racial-profiling and solitary confinement are among the Ontario Human Rights Commission's five-year strategic plan.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterRenu Mandhane says the Ontario Human Rights Commission's new strategic plan is "about public accountability and transparency."JIM RANKINTORONTO STAR FILE PHOTOImmigration Department promises to speed up spousal applicationshttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/07/immigration-department-promises-to-speed-up-spousal-applications.html
c2268bb7-a8cb-480c-9df5-f7953261cef4Wed, 7 Dec 2016 10:48:23 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/07/immigration-department-promises-to-speed-up-spousal-applications/mccallum.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The federal government says is devoting more resources and improving the process for Canadians whose spouses are immigrating.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterImmigration Minister John McCallum says changes to the spousal immigration system will make it "more efficient, more considerate."Adrian WyldTHE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTOPasquale Brothers immigrant family store to celebrate 100 years in Torontohttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/05/pasquale-brothers-immigrant-family-store-to-celebrate-100-years-in-toronto.html
abd0353e-f89f-4759-b24c-16f676262a86Mon, 5 Dec 2016 19:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/05/pasquale-brothers-immigrant-family-store-to-celebrate-100-years-in-toronto/cbpasquale09jpg.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>The specialty food store was passed on to the fourth generation of founders Edward and Donna Pasquale.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterChristina Kalcevich and her husband, Tony Burt, stand behind the counter with her mother Anna Marie Kalcevich, left, and the family's matriarch, Georgina Pasquale Madott, at the family's Etobicoke shop, Pasquale Brothers. Kalcevich and Burt have taken over the business.Cole BurstonToronto StarToy offers warm welcome — or ‘Ahlan’ — to Syrian newcomer kidshttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/02/toy-offers-warm-welcome-or-ahlan-to-syrian-newcomer-kids.html
e6648349-cbc2-429b-bfec-a1dad1aea5d2Fri, 2 Dec 2016 16:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/02/toy-offers-warm-welcome-or-ahlan-to-syrian-newcomer-kids/sasha-nafaa.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>A 9-year-old Mississauga girl hopes her bubbly greeting embedded in a stuffed animal can give comfort and a sense of security to arriving children from Syria.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterSasha Nafaa, 9, is the voice of the Ahlan teddy bear. "I want (Syrian) kids to know they are taken care of here," she says.Hassan NafaaMedia accused of racism in reporting HIV-related crimehttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/01/media-accused-of-racism-in-reporting-hiv-related-crime.html
59780f7a-fedf-4bc4-8192-500774c7f308Thu, 1 Dec 2016 13:54:04 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/01/media-accused-of-racism-in-reporting-hiv-related-crime/eric-mykhalovskiy.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Black males with HIV account for 20 per cent of the 181 people charged for no disclosing HIV status to sexual partners, but 62 per cent of newspaper articles focused on their cases.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterLead researcher of the study Eric Mykhalovskiy, a York University sociology professorSUPPLIED PHOTOLabour crisis looms in Canada’s agricultural sectorhttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/12/01/labour-crisis-looms-in-canadas-agricultural-sector.html
45f63f2b-89b5-490f-9ed8-e6b405da81c3Thu, 1 Dec 2016 09:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/12/01/labour-crisis-looms-in-canadas-agricultural-sector/farm-workers.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>A Conference Board of Canada report warns that a large portion of Canadian farmland will lie fallow without a robust migrant farm worker program.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterA new study anticipates the labour shortage in Canada's agricutlural sector will double by 2025, reaching 113,800 people.Tara WaltonToronto Star/GETTY IMAGESSponsorship endeavour a year marred by frustrationhttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/27/sponsorship-endeavour-a-year-marred-by-frustration.html
4fc1e1e9-3338-4d45-9dc5-2fb7fb98ad2fSun, 27 Nov 2016 18:00:58 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/27/sponsorship-endeavour-a-year-marred-by-frustration/sewell-russell.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Residents of a Rosedale co-op still waiting for Syrian refugee family they’ve sponsored to arrive in Canada.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterSewell Russell helped sponsor a refugee family from Vietnam in 1979. Now she's part of a group in her Rosedale co-op who last fall decided to sponsor a Syrian family. A year later, they're still waiting for the family to arrive.Daniel OtisTORONTO STAR FILE PHOTOChristian, Muslim and Jewish congregations unite to embrace refugee friends https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/27/christian-muslim-and-jewish-congregations-unite-to-embrace-refugee-friends.html
9dc9294d-4344-47f1-8973-8aea686415a4Sun, 27 Nov 2016 18:00:16 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/27/christian-muslim-and-jewish-congregations-unite-to-embrace-refugee-friends/al-balkhi-family-with-wise-and-khan.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Religious differences quickly set aside as Oakville and Mississauga groups welcome Syrian refugees from Damascus.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterRabbi Stephen Wise, left foreground, and Dr. Aliya Khan, both members of the sponsorship group Abraham's Children Together are shown with five members of the Al Balkhi family at the Shaarei Beth-El Synagogue in Oakville. At rear, father Riad Al Balkhi and mother Nadia Alswedan are flanked by sons Mohammad, 16, Aosam, 13, and daughter Shahd, 13.Marcus OleniukToronto StarFrom left, members of the interfaith sponsorship group, Abdul Qayyum Mufti, Katy Joaquim, Sandra Onufryk, Dr. Moar Murray-Hayes, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and Imran Tariq sit on a donated couch that would eventually go to the home of the Al Balkhi family.
Cole BurstonToronto Star File PhotoMembers of Abraham's Children Together volunteers are shown with the Al Balkhi family, shortly after they arrived in Canada last December.RABBI STEPHEN WISE PHOTOToronto man stymied in bid to help Jamaican amputee https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/26/toronto-man-stymied-in-bid-to-help-jamaican-amputee.html
c1f56a84-5832-453e-b5e1-72ce2f3c30ecSat, 26 Nov 2016 06:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/26/toronto-man-stymied-in-bid-to-help-jamaican-amputee/louis-kelly-glenn-clydesdale.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Retired businessman Glenn Clydesdale raised $8,800 to pay for his Jamaican friend's prosthetic leg, but the fundraising was the easy part.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterRetired Toronto businessman Glenn Clydesdale, left, has been battling to bring Louis Kelly to Canada to be fitted for a prosthetic leg. Kelly is a butler in his retirement home complex in Samuel Prospect, Jamaica, and lost his leg due to an infection last year.
SUPPLIED PHOTOTogether Project plays matchmaker for government-assisted refugeeshttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/23/together-project-plays-matchmaker-for-government-assisted-refugees.html
750d52a4-39e1-4479-a55d-2e8931222f7fWed, 23 Nov 2016 05:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/23/together-project-plays-matchmaker-for-government-assisted-refugees/together-project-founders-and-family.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>For many government-assisted refugees who feel left out in the cold after being resettled here, new help is on its way.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterTogether Project volunteers gather with the Mohammad family, originally from Aleppo. They are, from left, Andrew Lusztyk, Aya Mohamad, Jamal Mohammad, Kate Bate, Bayan Mohammad, Mohamad Mohammad, Hanaa Hameedi, Mahmud Mohamad, Hassan Mohammad, Suriya Alfahl, Bushra Mohamad, Craig Damian Smith, Jamal Mohammad, Rihab Allaf, Anna Hill and Patrick Marshall.Peter Andrew LusztykMembers of a welcome group play soccer with newcomer children from Syria in Grange Park earlier this year during the Together Project's pilot.KATE MARSHALLA welcome group enjoys a picnic with a Syrian newcomer family during a summer outing.
PETER ANDREW LUSZTYKToronto group aims to save 60 LGBTQ lives in 60 dayshttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/23/toronto-group-aims-to-save-60-lgbtq-lives-in-60-days.html
41f45f67-fbe8-44ac-8c2d-3deceeac937dWed, 23 Nov 2016 05:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/23/toronto-group-aims-to-save-60-lgbtq-lives-in-60-days/photos-ci-gay-campaign.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Established in 2006, Rainbow Railroad has helped hundreds of LGBTQ people facing persecution around the world.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterBassel Mcleash, 29, arrived in Toronto to start a new life in May. “I am a free person and can be who I am now," he says.Cole BurstonToronto StarGiving Syrian refugees the gift of better sight https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/23/giving-syrian-refugees-the-gift-of-better-sight.html
066288e5-c073-4492-8064-11a85749ed2eWed, 23 Nov 2016 05:00:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/23/giving-syrian-refugees-the-gift-of-better-sight/afweyeexams01jpg.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Dozens of volunteers involved in effort to provide free eye exams to Syrian newcomers.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterSyrian newcomer Nada Dallal, 16, whose family arrived in Canada in February via Jordan, has the first vision test of her life at a free eye clinic in Brampton recently.
ANDREW FRANCIS WALLACETORONTO STARMohamad Dallal, 12, has his eyes examined by optician Carolyn Nesbitt during a special clinic for Syrian newcomers held recently at the Prism Eye Institute in Brampton,Andrew Francis WallaceToronto StarNada Dallal, 16, gets her eyes checked by optometrist Dr. Stacey Chong during a free clinic at the Prism Eye Institute. The institute opened its doors on a recent Sunday to provide free exams to Syrian newcomers.
Andrew Francis WallaceToronto StarDr. Ike Ahmed (rear left) and medical student Tarek Bin Yameen (rear right), are shown with Syrian newcomer Essam Aljundi and his family at the Prism Eye Institute during a special clinic.
Andrew Francis WallaceToronto StarAn immigrant security guard's triumphant homecominghttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/21/an-immigrant-security-guards-triumphant-homecoming.html
6e66e3fe-b006-4036-aba8-3746c1a07138Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:08:00 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/21/an-immigrant-security-guards-triumphant-homecoming/mayank-bhatt.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Mayank Bhatt returned to the warm embrace of residents of a Forest Hill condo where he once worked as a security guard. But this time he was there to do a reading from his newly published novel.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterMayank Bhatt signs books after a reading of his debut novel "Belief" at the Heath St. W. condo building where he once worked as a security guard. It was a warm homecoming for the new author, whose novel is being formally launched on Tuesday at the Gladstone Hotel.Cole BurstonFor The Toronto StarLegal aid faces financial crunch in serving refugee claimantshttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/12/legal-aid-faces-financial-crunch-in-serving-refugee-claimants.html
60e902e9-41bd-42bd-b75a-65b7f11b2912Sat, 12 Nov 2016 19:40:52 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/12/legal-aid-faces-financial-crunch-in-serving-refugee-claimants/raoul-boulakia.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Among measures to control costs, Legal Aid Ontario has come up with a country list to determine which asylum hearing costs will be covered.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterRaoul Boulakia, president of the Refugee Lawyers' Association of Ontario, says the cost of hearing cases is going up because of demands made by adjudicators.VINCE TALOTTATORONTO STAR FILE PHOTODon't expect to just pack up and move to Canada, Americans toldhttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/09/dont-expect-to-just-pack-up-and-move-to-canada-americans-told.html
f9479c90-0759-4710-9fd6-0b5848023f0eWed, 9 Nov 2016 17:13:24 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/09/dont-expect-to-just-pack-up-and-move-to-canada-americans-told/wendy-ramirez.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Americans who can’t imagine living in a country with Donald Trump in charge shouldn’t bank on easy access to Canada. It’s not that simple, immigration experts warn.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterWendy Ramirez, 25, who came to the United States illegally as a child, says she's already made inquiries about moving to Canada. "Getting deported is very real now," she says of life under Donald Trump.DANIEL DALETORONTO STAR FILE PHOTOCultural program narrows language gap for Syrian newcomershttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/06/cultural-program-narrows-language-gap-syrian-youth.html
268b4170-7669-436b-80e1-77aa6fbf0e65Sun, 6 Nov 2016 17:41:01 EST
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/06/cultural-program-narrows-language-gap-syrian-youth/ghazel-alkak.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>A cultural exchange and support program brings together U of T students and Syrian newcomers looking for friendship and a sense of belonging.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterGhazel Alkak and sister, Rama, look at some of the Syrian artifacts on display at ROM on Saturday.NICHOLAS KEUNGTOronto StarUniversity of Toronto students and Syrian newcomers look at some of the antiquities in the Middle Eastern section of the Royal Ontario Museum during a visit on Saturday.
Rick MadonikToronto StarParticipants in a University of Toronto program that matches up students with Syrian newcomers in a cultural and language exchange enjoy a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum Saturday.Rick MadonikToronto StarVisitors study a mosaic in the Middle Eastern section of the Royal Ontario Museum on Saturday as part of a cultural and language exchange program involving the University of Toronto and Syrian newcomers.
Rick MadonikToronto StarMembers of a cultural and language exchange involving Syrian newcomers and U of T students pose for a group photo at ROM on Saturday.
Rick MadonikToronto StarMan awaiting $60K court award over lockdowns spared deportationhttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/03/man-awaiting-60k-court-award-over-lockdowns-spared-deportation.html
dd138ca9-1051-4f01-888a-0c23f197c51cThu, 3 Nov 2016 18:42:27 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/03/man-awaiting-60k-court-award-over-lockdowns-spared-deportation/jamil-ogiamien.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Jamil Ogiamien who is in the midst of a court battle to secure a $60,000 award ordered by an Ontario judge has been temporarily spared deportation to his native Nigeria.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterJamil Ogiamien had been slated to be deported on Friday to his native Nigeria, but has now been granted a temporary reprieve.
FAMILY PHOTOGroups push for transparency on Yazidi refugee plans https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/03/groups-push-for-transparency-on-yazidi-refugee-plans.html
874c768b-28a9-4e1e-91e6-1fbaf38ed26fThu, 3 Nov 2016 10:37:45 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/03/groups-push-for-transparency-on-yazidi-refugee-plans/yazidi-refugees.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Community members say they’re being kept in the dark about plans to resettle vulnerable Yazidi refugees.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporter A Yazidi woman from the Sinjar district of Iraq holds her child after arriving by boat from the Turkish coast on the island of Lesbos, Greece last November. Ottawa has commited to resettling vulnerable Yazidi refugees in Canada.
SERGEY PONOMAREVTHE NEW YORK TIMESCanada chided for treatment of black people by UN grouphttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/02/canada-chided-for-treatment-of-black-people-by-un-group.html
5a3457d3-5ba0-41b0-8c4a-c9ed0f371bd8Wed, 2 Nov 2016 17:14:45 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/11/02/canada-chided-for-treatment-of-black-people-by-un-group/racial-profiling.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>UN investigators raise alarm over poverty, poor health, low educational attainment and overrepresentation of African Canadians in justice and children’s aid systems.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterOdion Fayalo of the Justice is Not Colour Blind Campaign takes part in a Black Lives Matter rally outside Toronto police headquarters in March. A UN working group is looking into problems faced by African Canadians across the country.RENE JOHNSTONTORONTO STARImmigration targets to remain unchanged despite calls for significant increasehttps://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/10/31/immigration-targets-to-remain-unchanged-despite-calls-for-significant-increase.html
6e928288-0b5c-4735-9405-39d208db0febMon, 31 Oct 2016 15:44:07 EDT
<img src="https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2016/10/31/immigration-targets-to-remain-unchanged-despite-calls-for-significant-increase/john-mccallum.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"/><br/>Immigration Minister John McCallum had hinted Canada would “substantially” boost the number of immigrants in earlier interviews, but the figures announced Monday tell a different story.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterImmigration Minister John McCallum announced Canada's immigration targets for 2017 on Monday, with 300,000 newcomers slated to be welcomed. He had hinted earlier that the targets would be much higher.ADRIAN WYLDTHE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO